As the 2011 New York Yankees baseball season begins, the New York City Department of Transportation wants to make sure that fans are getting home safe after games.
The New York City Department of Transportation’s You the Man campaign, which began in February 2010, targets adults between the ages of 21 and 39 who may be likely to get into a drinking- or driving-related accident.
To further promote the campaign and keep drunken drivers off the road, the DOT started a free MetroCard giveaway throughout the city that began on Thursday, March 24 in Jackson Heights, Queens, and will conclude on Monday, April 4 in Times Square.
At the Yankees home opening game on Thursday, March 31, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan handed out nearly 1,000 MetroCards worth $2.50 each to fans who attended the game as part of an initiative to prevent drinking and driving from Yankee Stadium.
“Just like in baseball, when it comes to having a good time, it’s all about making it home safe,” Sadik-Kahn said. “Designated drivers are the MVP’s of good times year round, and this city is fortunate to have such a deep bench of bus and subway operators and taxi and livery drivers that New Yorkers can rely on upon for safe rides home.”
During the 12 day MetroCard giveaway program, over 3,000 cards are expected to be dispensed. The purchse of the cards was funded by fines paid by those who have been convicted of drinking- and driving-related crimes.
Sadik-Kahn and Diaz were joined on the corner of E. 161st Street and River Avenue by a street team of members of the You the Man campaign.
The borough president has been a strong supporter of the program.
“In a city with so many readily available mass transit options, no once has any excuse to get behind the wheel of a car when they’ve been drinking,” Diaz said.
The DOT urges fans to take one of the many public transportation options to Yankee Stadium if they intend on consuming alcohol.
